Yinhu - Silver Tiger of the West
西方银虎
The white tiger, also known as the silver tiger or Yinhu, embodies the West, the harvest, the evening and the element metal, especially quicksilver. Yinhu are at home in the mountains and corresponds to autumn, the colour white, the wind, and the virtue of righteousness. According to legend the tiger gets its impressive, white fur only at the proud age of 500 and she only shows up when a kind and just ruler sits on the throne and there is peace in the world.
Contrary to what many think due to its powerful appearance Yinhu represents a feminine yin energy and embodies the polar opposite to the yang energy of the masculine Eastern dragon. Yinhu has been revered as the queen of terrestrial animals, especially by the northern tribes and is on the seal of the Xiongnu Kingdom. The white jade-tiger ornament is specially reserved for the commanders of armies.
The white tiger is a headstrong, maverick and proud, and she tends to be a solitary loner. She has a wild and impetuous nature that is often difficult to control. In Shenzhou it is said that the fierce Yinhu repulses demons and fends off evil, and thus they are often engraved on portals, gates and entryways as well as grave markers – protecting dwellings of the living and the dead. The Yinhu is therefore a symbol of bravery and steadfastness.
Among other things, she is also a god of war. In this capacity she not only assisted the armies of the emperors, but fought the demons that opposed the Xian and celestial hosts in the heavens, or assailed travellers, the righteous, and the weak upon the earth.
Her piercing red, orange or yellow eyes are amulets of intuition, clarity of vision, and clairaudience and her protective form evokes motherhood and unconditional love. While the tigress is powerful, independent, and dangerous, she is know to be gentle and caring to her cubs and those in her charge.
On the hunt she is very prudent, calm, and focused. Possessed of a sixth sense Yinhu are intuitive and are said to recognise fortuitous ventures, whether in love, business or war. They recognise and take advantage of opportunities or avoid dangers others may easily overlook or miss.
Yinhu Racial Traits
+2 Str, +2 Wis, -2 Int, Yinhu are perceptive, strong and direct, once they’ve ascertained an obstacle they often don’t stop to think but confront it head on.
Yinhu: Yinhu are humanoids with the Human and Earth subtypes.
Medium: Yinhu are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Normal Speed: Yinhu have a base speed of 30 feet.
Elementally Aligned: Your strong affinity to your celestial totem imbues you with an affinity for its associated element, thus you have the (Metal) Subtype.
Elemental Harmony: Any class features, feats, special abilities or spells you use which heal damage or provide bonuses function as if one character, class, or caster level higher when the recipient has the (Water) subtype.
Elemental Adversity: Any class features, feats, special abilities or spells you use which deal damage or inflict penalties function as if one character, class, or caster level higher when the recipient has the (Wood) subtype.
Hunter's Instinct: Yinhu are highly perceptive using all of their senses in concert they are uncannily aware of their environment and receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception and Survival checks.
Sixth Sense: Some say the Yinhu have a preternatural sense, a third eye allowing them to see the ebb and flow of vital energies and sense danger and ill intent, you receive +2 racial bonus to Sense Motive and Initiative checks.
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